Marking 20 years of WISE-dom

Thursday

Jun 6, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Francesco C. Cesareo and Barbara B. Groves

Of all the benefits living in Worcester offers, educational institutions have highlighted the list. The former 10 colleges’ billboard had to impress visitors that here is a city that respects and values learning. What some don’t realize is that there are many citizens who treasure learning well beyond their youthful years.

In 1992, a group of curious learners agreed to rewire themselves instead of simply retiring. With the support and encouragement of Assumption College, the Worcester Institute for Senior Education was founded. The Elderhostel (now Road Scholar) Institute and local leader of the Worcester Consortium, William Densmore, offered advice on how to best meet the intellectual curiosity of the recently retired. A community meeting at Assumption College, which attracted over 300 older citizens, planted the seeds for a new opportunity. By the spring of 1993, eight courses drew 146 members to begin what has become a very popular lifelong learning institute.

To celebrate its 20th anniversary, WISE is sponsoring A Taste of WISE on June 19, on the Assumption College campus, to which the greater Worcester community is invited.

This anniversary event will provide newly retired citizens, who are eager to keep their desire for learning alive, the opportunity to sample course offerings and learn the many resources available to WISE members. Jim Verschueren, who helped launch the program, will be there to share his experiences working and traveling all over New England to support lifelong learning centers. Membership in WISE today exceeds 450 people from all over Worcester County, towns to our east and the border towns of Rhode Island and Connecticut.

A recent survey of its members revealed that the most popular courses are in history, literature, and music; however, the course offerings span all academic disciplines, the arts, and specialized areas such as estate planning, nature, nutrition, and religion. WISE does not offer courses typically found at senior centers such as yoga or meditation. Rather, WISE provides courses that reflect the members’ eagerness to learn something new or review something they’ve always enjoyed.

In addition to classes, WISE offers special events such as theater or art museum trips and brown bag lunches featuring speakers or musical performances. There are many opportunities to become actively involved in the Communications, Curriculum, Membership, Travel and Strategic Planning Committees. Since it is a member-run organization, people step up to participate in the activities inside or outside the classroom experience.

The growth of WISE has necessitated the formation of community partners of which there are several. For example, courses are taught at two retirement communities — The Willows and Briarwood. This past year many enjoyed the classes offered at the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Worcester Art Museum, Hanover Theatre and the Worcester Historical Museum.

The partnership with Assumption College has been extremely successful. In our 20th-anniversary year, a revised agreement between the College and WISE was signed and will generate an even stronger relationship.

One of the benefits of WISE membership is the opportunity to be fully integrated into the Assumption College community, making use of the library, enjoying the excellent culinary fare in the dining halls, performing in theatrical productions, as well as attending the many events sponsored by the college from lectures to choral and band concerts. The welcoming and respectful Assumption students enjoy helping WISE members find their classroom and often ask WISE members to assist them with projects or research.

A great deal of research is being done on the functioning of the brain, particularly as it ages. One of the unequivocal findings shows that maintaining brain activity —through learning, reading, or solving crossword puzzles — feeds those synapses. With the advances in medicine and health care, many of us are living longer, which means nurturing our brains becomes as important as the nutrition for our souls and bodies.

WISE provides that opportunity for senior citizens who want to keep learning about the world, for those who never studied poetry and now dare to risk it, for those who have always been intellectually curious about a wide range of topics. WISE is fortunate to have many local retired professors and teachers who claim they love their WISE classes because no one asks if it’s going to be on the test or how much will this count toward my grade.

WISE is a great gift to the Worcester community, as are its members. Witness what lifelong learning looks like and the exciting ways to keep your brain stimulated and your life stimulating not only by joining us for this anniversary celebration but also by becoming a member of the WISE community.

Francesco C. Cesareo, Ph.D., is president of Assumption College, and Barbara B. Groves is president of WISE.